Northwestern University Athletics
Get to Know: Alicia Barnett
4/13/2016 11:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
As the lone senior on the Northwestern women's tennis team this season, Alicia Barnett has taken on a leadership role with the program. The native of Painswick, Gloucestershire currently has a perfect 7-0 record in singles play in Big Ten matches and is ranked No. 51 in the nation in doubles when paired with sophomore Erin Larner. A two-time All-Big Ten honoree who has been a part of two conference championship teams, Barnett recently sat down with NUsports.com to help you get to know her a little better.
What was your recruiting process like? Why did you ultimately decide upon Northwestern?
"I narrowed it down to five universities. Northwestern was actually my last visit. I remember walking around campus and thinking it was really, really pretty. Then I met with (head coach) Claire (Pollard). Honestly, my first impression was that I was kind of scared. Her being British as well, it was easy to get along with her. She and my dad got along really well. Ultimately, the great academics were really important to my parents and to me. It was also the best tennis program that I looked at. Claire really emphasizes improving. I really wanted to get the most out of my game as possible. (Former Wildcat) Samantha Murray, who is also British, really emphasized that as well, and I respected her."
Do you have a favorite memory from your time at Northwestern?
"I think it definitely has to be winning the Big Ten tournament my sophomore year. We were tied 3-3 and Belinda (Niu) was down and she came back and fought really hard. I had won my match that day in singles, so I was in a good place. When she fought back and won, we rushed the court. It was such a good feeling. I think we were all on a high for about two weeks."
How would you describe Claire Pollard as a coach?
"She makes an effort to really get to know us and take an interest in us. She really wants what's best for us, so she helps us improve as much as she can. There's some tough love sometimes and we all accept it because we know she wants us to be the best player possible."
Do you feel pressure to live up to the standard of success that this program has had?
"I think initially last year I felt…I had been on the team the longest of anyone so I did feel a little bit of pressure. I spoke to Claire about it and she said, 'At the end of the day, Lissey, it's tennis. We're going to enjoy it. The (Big Ten title) streak was going to end eventually. It's not one person's fault.' It's not like our team is any worse than it ever has been. Other teams in the conference are getting better which, honestly, is good for the program. We may have lost the streak, but for the program to get better, it's a good thing that other teams are getting better as well."
How often does your family get to see you play?
"My dad tracks online frequently. Sometimes the matches are too late with the time change. He'll stay up until ungodly hours, though. I remember my sophomore year, my mom and my dad were texting me all through the night when we competing in the NCAA tournament and we had a really late match and they were staying up until 3 a.m. local time. I just felt so bad. I was like, 'Oh my gosh, this is the longest match.' They keep on top of things and then they question it because they don't know what happened. They'll say, 'Why did you lose that match? Shouldn't you have won that?' And I'll be like, 'Dad, you weren't there. Come on!' They're very supportive, though."
What do you like to do in your free time?
"I think our whole team has a massive sweet tooth. We like to go to Hartigan's or Andy's. I Facetime a lot. I'm quite social with people back home."
What will you miss the most about Northwestern after you graduate?
"My team and my coaches. I'll miss having them there as a support base, day in and day out seeing them every day. I'm going to miss them a lot."
What are your plans after you graduate?
"I want to continue to play tennis and be by myself and without a team. I want to see the world and have the pressure of playing for myself. If it doesn't work out, then at least I tried. No regrets."
What was your recruiting process like? Why did you ultimately decide upon Northwestern?
"I narrowed it down to five universities. Northwestern was actually my last visit. I remember walking around campus and thinking it was really, really pretty. Then I met with (head coach) Claire (Pollard). Honestly, my first impression was that I was kind of scared. Her being British as well, it was easy to get along with her. She and my dad got along really well. Ultimately, the great academics were really important to my parents and to me. It was also the best tennis program that I looked at. Claire really emphasizes improving. I really wanted to get the most out of my game as possible. (Former Wildcat) Samantha Murray, who is also British, really emphasized that as well, and I respected her."
Do you have a favorite memory from your time at Northwestern?
"I think it definitely has to be winning the Big Ten tournament my sophomore year. We were tied 3-3 and Belinda (Niu) was down and she came back and fought really hard. I had won my match that day in singles, so I was in a good place. When she fought back and won, we rushed the court. It was such a good feeling. I think we were all on a high for about two weeks."
How would you describe Claire Pollard as a coach?
"She makes an effort to really get to know us and take an interest in us. She really wants what's best for us, so she helps us improve as much as she can. There's some tough love sometimes and we all accept it because we know she wants us to be the best player possible."
Do you feel pressure to live up to the standard of success that this program has had?
"I think initially last year I felt…I had been on the team the longest of anyone so I did feel a little bit of pressure. I spoke to Claire about it and she said, 'At the end of the day, Lissey, it's tennis. We're going to enjoy it. The (Big Ten title) streak was going to end eventually. It's not one person's fault.' It's not like our team is any worse than it ever has been. Other teams in the conference are getting better which, honestly, is good for the program. We may have lost the streak, but for the program to get better, it's a good thing that other teams are getting better as well."
How often does your family get to see you play?
"My dad tracks online frequently. Sometimes the matches are too late with the time change. He'll stay up until ungodly hours, though. I remember my sophomore year, my mom and my dad were texting me all through the night when we competing in the NCAA tournament and we had a really late match and they were staying up until 3 a.m. local time. I just felt so bad. I was like, 'Oh my gosh, this is the longest match.' They keep on top of things and then they question it because they don't know what happened. They'll say, 'Why did you lose that match? Shouldn't you have won that?' And I'll be like, 'Dad, you weren't there. Come on!' They're very supportive, though."
What do you like to do in your free time?
"I think our whole team has a massive sweet tooth. We like to go to Hartigan's or Andy's. I Facetime a lot. I'm quite social with people back home."
What will you miss the most about Northwestern after you graduate?
"My team and my coaches. I'll miss having them there as a support base, day in and day out seeing them every day. I'm going to miss them a lot."
What are your plans after you graduate?
"I want to continue to play tennis and be by myself and without a team. I want to see the world and have the pressure of playing for myself. If it doesn't work out, then at least I tried. No regrets."
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
David G. Kabiller NU for Life Program - 2025 Video
Tuesday, August 19
This is Northwestern Athletics | 2024-25 Recap
Tuesday, August 19
Northwestern Tennis | New Locker Room Virtual Tour
Wednesday, October 11
Georgia Rose Full Speech | 2022 Northwestern Athletics Hall of Fame Induction
Monday, September 19
